Nordic wave phase 1 completed: Strengthening digital infrastructure

Phase 1 of the EU-funded Nordic Wave project, led by GlobalConnect, is now complete. This initiative enhances digital infrastructure in the Nordics by upgrading existing fiber networks. The project improves resilience and high-capacity data communication between Northern and Central Europe.

The first phase, covering the stretch from Stockholm to Luleå, now provides up to 27 terabits per second of capacity by utilizing the existing fiber backbone. To put this into perspective, 27 terabits per second is equivalent to supporting millions of simultaneous high-definition video calls without lag. This marks a significant milestone in strengthening the region’s connectivity. The investment for this phase amounts to €650,000, co-funded by the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

"By utilizing our existing fiber infrastructure, we are making a major digital upgrade without disrupting the environment or communities with new excavation work," says Pär Jansson Senior Vice President GlobalConnect. "This improved connectivity benefits businesses, municipalities, and the public sector while also supporting bilateral defense efforts in the region."

What is Nordic wave? A project for growth and resilience

Nordic Wave is a project designed to create a robust and high-capacity data network from Northern Sweden to Germany and Norway, integrating with GlobalConnect’s wider network. The project supports the region’s growing role as a hub for green energy, advanced industries, and critical resources. Its key goals include:

• Boosting economic growth: Improved connectivity attracts energy-intensive businesses such as data centers and green industries to Northern Sweden.
• Enhancing resilience: Strengthening digital infrastructure ensures more secure and stable communication networks for businesses and public services.
• Driving innovation: High-speed connections enable better collaboration between Nordic research institutions and global technology leaders.

Technology and timeline: A seamless upgrade

Nordic Wave is upgrading its network using DWDM technology (Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing). This allows us to increase capacity on existing fiber lines by transmitting multiple data signals on different light wavelengths simultaneously, boosting speeds up to 400 Gbps—without service interruptions.

To put that into perspective: 400 Gbps is fast enough to stream over 100,000 ultra-HD (4K) movies at the same time or transfer an entire laptop’s data in under a second.

The project is divided into three phases:

• Stockholm to Luleå (completed)
• Luleå to Narvik
• Sundsvall to Trondheim

The entire project is scheduled for completion by mid-2026.

Phase 1: A major connectivity upgrade

Phase 1 strengthens the connection between Stockholm and Luleå by leveraging existing fiber infrastructure—avoiding new excavation work and minimizing environmental impact. This upgrade significantly improves the region’s data traffic capacity and reliability to support growing demands for high-performance connectivity.

EU support and strategic importance

Co-funded by the European Union’s CEF Digital programme, the Nordic Wave project aligns with the EU's objectives of sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation. The funding highlights the strategic importance of enhancing digital infrastructure in the Nordic region.

What’s next? Expanding Nordic connectivity

With Phase 1 completed, the focus now shifts to the Luleå-to-Narvik and Sundsvall-to-Trondheimsegments. These expansions will further strengthen the Nordic region’s digital infrastructure, fostering new economic opportunities and reinforcing its position as a leader in digital innovation.

"We see it as our responsibility to futureproof the infrastructure in our region to meet the growing demand for data. Nordic Wave is a crucial step in strengthening connectivity, not just for businesses and public services, but for society as a whole. As digitalization accelerates, we need a network that can handle increasing data flows securely and efficiently. This project is about building long-term resilience, ensuring that the Nordics remain at the forefront of digital innovation and economic growth," says Pär Jansson.